2015 Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree

Blackbeard fights off an attack by Lt. Robert Maynard at the 2014 Battle of Silver Lake.

Sept. 7, 2015

This year’s Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree on Ocracoke Island will be Halloween weekend–Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.

This is a family-friendly event with lots of swashbuckling fun both on land and on the water!

Make this your family’s Halloween destination. Bring the kids and your costumes. Lots of fun events are in the works.

Friday evening Oct. 30The event kicks off Friday evening Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Ocracoke Community Center where visitors can “meet the pirates,” have a swig of grog and join in “Pirate Follies” along with author-historian Kevin Duffus.

Halloween Day, Oct. 31, will be the big day!Everyone is encouraged to join in the fun and access your inner pirate!
The centerpiece of the Jamboree is a historically accurate pirate encampment from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, on the grounds of the Berkley Center by Blackbeard’s Pirate Crew, an 18-member living history organization from Hampton, VA.
Dressed in authentic clothing from the 17th and early 18th centuries, pirates will engage visitors with storytelling, sea chanteys, navigation, seamanship, medicine and more. Kids of all ages can attend the “Scallywag School,” learn navigation by the stars and more.
Visitors will see demonstrations of vintage black powder weapons and partake in hearty seafarers’ grub and grog.
Throughout the day in several locations in the village, there will be sword fights, roving minstrels, historical talks and more for all ages.
The main event will be the re-enactment of “The Battle at Ocracoke,” taking place at 1 p.m. on the island’s beautiful harbor, Silver Lake. Three ships will re-create the last hours of Blackbeard and his crew as Lt. Robert Maynard brings them to battle with cannons blazing.
Among the professional pirate crews attending will be Sinbad in his Meka II, historic skipjack the Ada Mae, the Shadow Players, the Beaufort Oars in their sloop The Ranger, the Motley Tones minstrels and Chris Suttle as Blackbeard.
A “Brigands Bazaar” on the Wahab House yard will feature pirate-themed wares for sale–books about Blackbeard, clothing, artwork, pottery and more.

Public parking is available at the NPS Visitors lot at the south end of the island, 4352 Irvin Garrish Highway. Public restrooms are available at the NPS Visitor’s Center and in Community Square.

So, get cookin’ on your pirate costumes.
Kids can join in islander kids trick or treating along Lighthouse Road from 4 to 5:30 p.m. then make your way to the Ocracoke Oyster Company, 875 Irvin Garrish Hwy., for a stage combat performance by the fabulous Shadow Players. The Bawdy Beer Garden with the ever-fabulous Motely Tones continues at the Ocracoke Oyster Company after that.Sunday, Nov. 1, will conclude with the Pirate March at 10 a.m. to Springer’s Point for a ceremony commemorating the fall of Blackbeard offshore on Nov. 22, 1718. Pirates and visitors gather outside the encampment at the Berkley Center for the march to the water’s edge.

Join the pirates after the memorial for Lunch at Howard’s Pub at noon before you set sail back home!

Activity details are still being finalized, but check in at www.ocracokevillage.com.